Nigeria Leaves Fuel Tax Hike on Hold After Political Backlash

Nigeria has no plan to revive a dormant fuel tax after a revamp of the West African nation’s tax laws potentially brought it back to life, causing a political backlash.

Finance Minister Wale Edun said the government won’t begin collecting the legacy tax – which placed a 5% levy on gasoline and diesel purchases — when the new legislation comes into effect in January. He didn’t rule out collecting it at a later date.

“Before any such tax can come into effect, it requires a commencement order from the minister of finance,” Edun told reporters in Abuja, the capital, on ...